Black Neighborhoods | Day 10 | Where is the oldest Black town in the West?

Day 10

Of all the Black towns started in the West during Reconstruction, only one still exists…

Do you know where it is?

Y’all I tried to Google it.

… an address for you.

But ain’t no addresses.

It’s just…

Nicodemus, Kansas 67625

NicoDEMus!!!

I first saw the name in Washington, DC at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

It was a beautiful way sign pointing to the famous township. Somehow, this sign was miraculously recovered through post-Reconstruction terror, the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, AND the Great Depression. There it was - a beautiful relic of Black history (so grateful for archeologists).

You see, I was born in Kansas, plus “Nicodemus” sounded Black as H, so I was pumped to learn more.

I googled the population today.

14 people.

Wait...14?

In 2020, it was 54.

One chart says 5.

Who are these people holding down our history?

What are their names? What are their mama’s names? How many generations have their families lived there? Do they have a post office?

I can’t wait to tell you the story and circumstances of this beautiful town. The history will give you a deeper understanding of the founding of all Black towns in the West.